Chapter seven
The sun was just setting as Nabooru sliced the air with one of her twin blades. As the spirit Sage, she had magic to fall back upon in the heat of battle, but true to her Gerudo roots, she felt it necessary to keep up her physical skills. She continued the deadly dance, flipping and twisting through the air, the blades a blur of motion. They sliced about, sending sharp cutting noises through the desert air. Just as the last of the sun disappeared, Nabooru finished the last of her daily exercise and sat on the ground; her eyes closed in meditation.
Ever since the war, now known as the Imprisoning War, was over, Link had come to her to hone his skills. It was no surprise, really. The Gerudo were widely known for their unparalleled swordsmanship. The only problem was they never taught men their secrets. She was more then happy to accept Link, however, and the two quickly developed a fiercely close master/student relationship. They already fought in several small battles together.
Link's skills, to her, were nothing short of extraordinary. Nothing drove home the fact the he was the Hero of Time more than when he had first beaten her in single combat. There he was, a ten year old, who had just come from the Lost Woods. At first, the Gerudo, who didn't recognize him, refused to let him in. Upon hearing that Link was requesting admittance into Gerudo territory, however, she immediately granted him passage.
"I want to train under you. I want to become better," he had said.
The room erupted in laughter when the child said this. It was an undeniable honor to train with Nabooru in Gerudian society. But the laughter was quickly hushed when Nabooru accepted his offer.
"I will be most honored to train you, Hero of Time. But, you must prove yourself to me first," she replied. Walking up to him, brandishing a curved blade, she smiled. "Did you really think you could just walk in here and start training without a test first?"
Link's cocky smile emerged. "What, Ganondorf wasn't enough? Okay then, I'll consider this my first lesson!"
With that, Link immediately unsheathed the Gilded Sword he received in Termina and held his shield up.
Nabooru laughed. "First lesson, Hero of Time: the Gerudo don't use shields in battle." Link's cocky smiled disappeared, but he held his gaze and swung his arm out, letting the shield drop to the side. "Good, now we begin!" With that, Nabooru immediately lunged forward and came down with a singing cut. With unbelievable speed, the ten-year-old moved to his left and twisted around, swinging his blade toward her neck. Nabooru's left foot came down and she launched herself away from him, nearly running into a few of the spectators.
She was in awe. Never had she seen a child move like that. Even as the fabled Hero of Time, his skill was undeniable. That move he used had taken only a fraction of a second. Only her years of experience had saved her from being beheaded. Now Link showed off a knowing smile and said, "Lesson two: the Hero of Time doesn't fuck around when fighting."
Nabooru's eyes glittered and she could only say, "Watch your mouth, child." The continued their match, but the end result was Nabooru on the ground with Link's sword pointed to her throat. She shook her head. "I concede. You win, Link. And by all means, consider this your first lesson."
The rest was a blur in memories for her. The two would practice day in and day out. Link would only take a week or two of rest every few months, visit friends and explore a little more of Hyrule to abate his insatiable wanderlust. Over the last several months, she came to love him as the son she never had. The feeling was mutual, and he looked up to her as his lost mother.
But, as Nabooru opened her eyes and looked out over the fortress, she could only feel a sense of coming dread. She shook her head. Best not to think about that.
Sighing, Nabooru got up and mounted her horse. It was time to take care of an important job.
* * *
As the sun set on the ranch, the day after Adrian's trial in Hyrule Castle, Talon decided that it would do the children good to sleep under the stars. "I could never live with myself knowing none of you had ever slept outside at least once in your life. Tonight will be perfect."
So the evening found Adrian, Malon, and Link sitting around a campfire near the entrance of the corral, talking. Link was retelling one of his tales, particularly the one where he saved the Gorons from starvation.
"So, I dropped down at least three stories," he continued, "and there was the Dodongo King. The beast was as big as a house! And I had to keep running from it around a circular room; the middle was filled with lava!" He at least had Malon enthralled, but Adrian seemed unimpressed. "I ran around, managing to keep from getting crushed. Suddenly, the creature took a deep breath, ready to spew flames at me!"
"What did you do?" Malon asked, her eyes wide with excitement.
"Well, I quickly saw the opening and threw in a bomb. The explosion in its stomach, BOOM, almost knocked it out. But I didn't waste time. I ran up and slashed it, taking out it's eye!" Link continued his story, his voice getting louder and more boisterous.
Finally, Ingo opened a window and yelled out, "HEY, I'M TRYING TO SLEEP HERE, KEEP IT DOWN!"
Link laughed and called back, "Well then, I'll just keep getting louder, okay?"
Both Link and Malon were rolling on the ground, hands on their stomach, howling. Even Adrian cracked a little chuckle. Ingo only shook his head and muttered to himself, closing the window.
Link finally stopped laughing; Malon wiped the tears from her eyes. "You didn't seem too impressed, Adrian."
Adrian shrugged and replied, "You should see some of the creatures my father kept."
Link perked up at the thought. "Please, do tell!"
Sobering up, the platinum topped child sighed and began. "Well, where do I begin? Maybe I should start with my father's first bodyguard, Death."
Link snorted. "Oh, that's an original name."
The other only smiled and said, "You would not be saying that if you saw him. He is the very embodiment of death. Cloaked in the darkest materials, this spirit has brought the end of thousands in his lifetime. And he has lived for centuries. My father was powerful enough to subdue him and make Death his slave. So long-lived, this creature, that people where I come from do not just associate him with death. To them, he IS death."
Malon only looked in wide-eyed wonder, a little frightened. "W-we wouldn't ever see him, would we?" She started shaking and peering around in the darkness.
But the Hero of Time reached over and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry Malon. I could take him."
"I would like to see you try," said Adrian, smiling. Link only flashed him a grin.
Before he could respond, however, the sound of approaching horses overtook them. The children looked toward the entrance of the ranch in time to see a black stallion approaching. Impa rode in on it.
Zelda was with her.
The three kids blinked in surprise as the horse came to a stop, and Impa dismounted, helping Zelda do the same.
"Good evening, children," Impa stated. "I see we are camping outside tonight?" The kids nodded. "That is good. Do you mind if her highness and myself join you?" Link smiled and walked by Zelda, throwing his hand around her shoulder. He was practically the only person in the entire kingdom with the audacity to do that, but Impa was so used to it she paid no heed.
"What's up, princess?" But Zelda wasn't paying attention to him either. She stared at Adrian, an icy glare in her eyes. Then she calmly removed Link's hand and sat down by the fire, on the far side from Adrian. Link only sighed and sat next to Malon, his place was just taken. Impa kneeled next to the dhampire.
"Adrian, do you mind if I sit next to you?" Not knowing what to say, Adrian only nodded. "Thank you, sir," Impa said. They sat around the fire for several moments, staring at the flames. Finally, one of them broke the silence.
"What do you want?" Malon asked, her tone revealing her displeasure. She hadn't forgotten the events of the previous day, when Adrian came out of the counsel chamber in tears. "If you are here to bother Adrian, you can pack up and leave." She leveled her eyes with Zelda's. "That means you, your highness."
Zelda said nothing, and turned her eyes back to the fire. Sighing, Impa spoke up. "We decided that her highness and I should come speak to Alu... Adrian in person. I am to interview him, so to speak."
"And Zelda?" Link asked.
"She insisted on coming," Impa replied. Turning to Adrian, she started. "So... Adrian. I know this will be hard, but we need information, and understanding. The Sages..." She looked to Zelda, who refused to meet her gaze, "...have decided that you are not a threat. But we know danger is coming to Hyrule. Is there anything you can tell us?"
"Shaft," Adrian answered immediately. "He is your threat. Shaft."
Nodding, Impa continued. "Okay, Adrian. Tell us about Shaft."
"Well," he started, "Shaft is a very wicked wizard, who studied under my father. He did some bad things, I was told. But, he also was responsible for getting my mother and father together."
"Why?" Impa asked.
"To make me, I guess. My mother was human, and my father was a vampire."
Impa nodded. The word 'human' wasn't familiar to her, but she could guess what it meant, looking at his features. A vampire, however, was very well known creature, at least in this world, as was the hybrid offspring of a vampire, the dhampire.
"So you parents didn't love each other?" Zelda asked suddenly, only to get shushed by Impa.
"NO!" Adrian said fiercely. "They loved each other very much. My father told me that Shaft only strengthened what was already there." He stood up. "My father loved my mother very, very much. And she loved him. She was a good person. She died..." He stopped suddenly, tears racing down his cheeks. Impa sighed and wrapped her arms around the child.
"Look, why don't we walk over to the shed and you can talk to me in private, okay? I want to know more Adrian. I want to help you," Impa said.
Adrian shook his head, his tears flowing even greater. "I-I am so scared. I do not know what to do anymore. I want to go home."
Malon moved next to him and put a hand on his shoulder. It's okay, Adrian. I'll go with you. You can hold my hand and tell Impa and me everything. And we promise not to tell anyone what you said, right Impa?" Impa nodded, and Adrian sniffed back his tears. "See?" she said. "I told you I would be here for you, Adrian. I always will."
Adrian nodded. "Okay. Just you and her."
Impa stood and walked to the shed on the far side of the Coral. Adrian and Malon followed. As they walked further away, Link scooted next to Zelda and looked to her. They had always been close friends, Link and Zelda. After the Imprisoning War, they became practically best friends. But Link was angry with her now. She could see that as he stared her down.
"Just what the hell is this all about, Zelda?" he fumed.
"Just what was what, Link?" she answered.
"Don't give me any of that crap, you know exactly what I'm talking about. You are treating him like some monster."
"He IS a monster, Link. You weren't there. You were asleep seven years, remember?"
"Maybe he was a bad person. Maybe he did do bad things. But if you recall, EVERY person except you, me and the Sages have no memory of those events. It's like nothing ever happened. All I see is a scared kid, you got that?"
Zelda stood up, as angry as he was. "And like I said, Link, you weren't there, and..."
"IMPA was there, Zelda," Link said. "Nabooru was there. Ruto was there. Everybody was there except me. And the only person I see out for blood is YOU. So don't give me any of that shit. I see a scared child, not a monster."
She stood there, shaking, a tear falling down her porcelain cheek. "Link, please. Don't do this to me." Link got to his feet, regretting his outburst. He raised his hand gently and wiped the lone tear from her face. This was the first time he ever saw Zelda cry. She always seemed so strong, so impenetrable. It came as a shock to him to see her this way. "You can't imagine what I've been through," she said.
"Gods, Zelda, I can try," he replied. "Open up, tell me what he did to you."
She shook her head. "I can't."
Link nodded and hugged her. Zelda stiffened, then hugged him back. They held that position for a few minutes, then released each other. When they parted, Link saw her face was completely dry again. It was like she never cried. He sighed, and said, "Okay, Zelda. I don't understand, but I will be your friend, like I always am. But please, please, if only for my sake, at least tolerate him. I like Adrian. As long as he is going to be here, I'm going to be his friend. He needs that."
Zelda nodded. "Okay Link. For you, I will... try to tolerate him. I won't be his friend, but I will leave him in peace."
Link smiled. "That is all I ask." He turned his head and saw the trio returning. "Looks like they're all done."
The three returned to the campfire, and Zelda met Impa's eyes. "Well?" she said.
"He isn't the threat. He never was, Zelda. Not even when Ganondorf was taking over Hyrule," Impa replied.
"Then what was he," Zelda said.
"A pawn," Impa continued. "A tool used by Ganondorf. Most likely, from what I can gather, Ganondorf met with Shaft and killed him, taking the boy for himself."
Zelda sighed and turned away from them. "What exactly did he say?"
"I can't tell you, or anybody else. I made a promise not to say. But, I can tell you that he isn't a monster, nor was he ever one." Impa cleared her throat and said, "I've decided to take Adrian under my wing." Zelda whirled around, the shock in her face apparent. "I have to," Impa said quickly, before her princess could talk. "As a Sheikah, our powers are very similar to those that a dhampire would possess. I can help him understand and control those powers. Besides, once he starts to change into a man, he is going to have more changes then just physical. Best he has someone to take his hand and guide him."
Zelda again looked betrayed. That was the second time Impa took the dhampire's side against hers. "Fine," she said, "take him in. See what I care. I can get along just fine. I've been in this world for nineteen years anyhow, I can take care of myself." She walked away and sat under a nearby tree.
"I'll talk to her later," Impa said. The group sat down again, encircling the fire. Link smiled, reached over and patted Adrian on the shoulder. "You okay, buddy?"
"I am fine."
"You sure?"
"Yes, I am Link. Thank you," Adrian replied. "Can I ask you something Link?"
"Sure, anything."
"What is the lost timeline?"
Link looked to Impa. She shrugged and said, "The lost timeline is the original history of this kingdom, when Ganondorf took over Hyrule and killed off hundreds of people. Zelda, Link and the Sages managed to change history and seal Ganondorf inside the Sacred Realm, freeing hundreds of people from the horror they should never have to face."
Adrian's eyes furrowed. "I don't understand, but can you explain it?"
"We'll start from the beginning," Link said. "The very beginning, since you are new to this world. These three Goddesses created our world. Din, the Goddess of Power, Nayru, the Goddess of Wisdom, and Farore, the Goddess of Courage. When they were done, they left an object that would become the most sought after item in our history, the Triforce.
"The Triforce?" Adrian said.
"Yes," replied Impa, "The object that holds the essence of the Goddesses themselves."
"Yup," Link said, "it's so powerful that it grants your every wish."
Impa shook her head. "Not necessarily, the Triforce grants the wish that resides in your heart. In other words, the one thing you desire most of all, it will come true. The Triforce isn't a tool to make your every whim come true, it changes the world to fit YOUR dreams and hopes."
Adrian nodded, understanding. "And the Triforce, and these goddesses, they are the basis for your religion?" The others all nodded.
"Adrian, I will explain as best as I can what exactly happened." Everyone minus Zelda scooted closer to her. "When we realized that Link was our hero, we sent him out on a mission to retrieve the Master Sword, the weapon needed to defeat all evil in our land. Ganondorf was that Evil." She turned to Adrian. "But something unexpected happened when Link finally retrieved the sacred blade. He was too young to be the Hero of Time, as his status is called. So he was sealed up in the Sacred Realm, the place where the Triforce resides. He stayed there for seven years until he was fully-grown and able to wield the blade. While he was there, Ganondorf was able to finally get the Triforce and used it to conquer our world."
"But, something else unexpected happened. When Ganondorf touched the Triforce, it split into three different pieces. The Triforce of Power, the Triforce of Wisdom, and the Triforce of Courage. It split because Ganondorf did not have all three of these qualities, which you need to use the Triforce. The three pieces then hid themselves inside of three different people. People who embodied the quality of that particular part of the Triforce. Ganondorf got the Triforce of Power. Princess Zelda got the Triforce of Wisdom. And Link, the Hero of Time, got the Triforce of Courage."
"When Link awoke, he traveled around Hyrule and awoke the six Sages, me being one of them. Together, we managed to seal Ganondorf inside the Sacred Realm, with his part of the Triforce."
"So... when exactly was Ganondorf sealed?" Adrian questioned hesitantly, trying to grasp what he was being told.
"The moment he touched the Triforce, he was sealed. By our point of view, that is. He still has memories of the seven lost years, when he conquered most of our world. From his view, like Link and the Sages', he was thrust back seven years," Impa replied.
"And everyone else in Hyrule?"
"To them, this never happened. As far as they know, Ganondorf attacked Hyrule Castle, then tried to steal the Triforce, but the King used us to seal him."
The fire was dying down, so Link tromped off to retrieve more firewood. The three returned to the fire. Impa sat cross-legged, Malon sat a few feet away from her, with Adrian's head resting on her lap. She stroked his hair back, as they listened to Impa continue.
"When... when Link was frozen in the Chamber of Sages, Ganondorf went out on a campaign to find Zelda, who I hid from him. It was four years after he first came to power that you appear, Adrian." He sat up, his gaze intense and fixated on Impa. "After Ganondorf had established his power, we established a resistance based in the neighboring country of Catalonia. Most of what was left of the Hylian army was there.
"When we finally returned to Hyrule, Ganondorf's army was waiting for us. We fought on these very fields outside of the ranch. It was a long, bloody battle, but in the end, Ganondorf won. We knew then that winning without the Hero of Time was impossible." Impa looked directly into Adrian's eyes. "You were there during the battle, leading Ganondorf's armies."
Adrian only stared back at her for a moment. Then he looked at Malon, who only shook her head sadly. Link had returned, and heard her story.
"Don't sweat it," he said. "You don't remember it, so it doesn't matter. End of story."
"Yes, why are we even talking about this?" Malon wondered aloud. "It doesn't matter anymore. It never happened, right?"
"That's right," Impa confirmed. "It really never happened from the view of hundreds of other people. Why don't we forget about it?"
"I don't know if I can, but I will try," Adrian said.
The night wore on, and the small group talked pleasantly throughout it. Even Adrian finally opened up and was talking freely amongst them. One by one, they fell asleep, wrapped up in their blankets beside the warm fire. Link was the first to go, snoring loudly, his boots standing right beside him. Malon curled up beside Adrian and the two drifted off to sleep together. With the kids slumbering, Zelda finally approached the campfire. "Are we done? Can we go home soon?"
An owl hooted in the distance. The cloudless sky made for an incredible sight, as hundreds of stars glittered above them. Impa sighed contentedly, stretching out her long legs, staring up at them. "Tomorrow morning, princess. Let's just sleep for now."
The princess just nodded, her face masking any emotions she might be feeling. "I don't approve of you training the dhampire, but I guess I can't stop you?"
"No, your highness, you can't. Adrian needs someone to show him how to use his powers. And when. It's better then leaving him to discover his abilities himself, or worse, some stranger showing him his powers. I can help him." She rolled over, looking at the nine-year-old beauty. "All this time I never asked you this. I always respected your privacy. But now I have to ask. Why do you hate Adrian so much. What did he do?"
"You have to ask?" Zelda said, incredulous. "He assassinated my father!"
But Impa shook her head. Ganondorf did much worse. You never showed any hatred towards him, only pity."
Zelda looked down into her lap. She was sitting cross-legged in front of Impa, staring into her hands. "I can't. I won't. Not yet."
"Is it something he did do? Or will do?"
"Both, sort of. I can't really explain it. I don't really even hate him..." She trailed off, but then shook her head. A defiant look overtook her, and Zelda said, "Enough. Its my problem, not yours."
Impa sighed, frustrated again. "Okay, your highness. Let's just drop it." She turned over and closed her eyes. "I'm going to sleep now. We'll head home in the morning." She was asleep within a few moments. Zelda stared at her back, then stood. She walked to where her blanket was kept and curled up under the tree, away from the group. It would be a while before she could sleep.
* * *
The next morning, just before dawn would break, everyone woke with a piercing scream. Malon was standing over her blankets, tears rushing down. Link rushed to his feet, confused and fighting off his sleep. Impa woke suddenly too, fighting her way out of the warm blankets she had wrapped around herself. As she stood, Zelda rushed to her side.
"What, what's wrong," Impa said, scared suddenly. It only took her a few seconds to notice Adrian wasn't there.
"Somebody took Adrian. Oh god, Adrian's gone!" she cried.
~Well, I'm sorry again for the long delay, but, man, have I been busy. Damn you, Nintendo, for making the Gamecube so @#%&ing fun! Heh, so anyway, this is the chapter where I try to explain what happened when Link is sent back that final time in OoT. I hope it made sense, but if not, just E-mail me and I'll try to explain it better. Anyway, next chapter, more trouble, this time for Adrian/Alucard's parents. What will happen to them? Tune in next time when we go time hopping again and see!~
Best
~DV~
